A new carbazole-based phenanthrenyl ruthenium complex as sensitizer for a dye-sensitized solar cell

Three new amphiphilic ruthenium complexes (Ru-1, Ru-2 and Ru-3) based on phenanthrenyl derivatives have been synthesized and used as photosensitizers for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The ruthenium complex Ru-1 containing a carbazole group showed especially improved photophysical properties (red-shifted metal-to-ligand charge-transfer transition absorptions and enhanced molar extinction coefficients)and interesting electrochemical properties, resulting in its improved open circuit potential and high overall light-to-electric power conversion efficiency of 5.3% (AM1.5,75 mW/cm(2)). These facts indicate that the carbazole-based phenanthrenyl ruthenium complex is a promising candidate for improving the conversion efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.